C1 1960 Oil Line Routing

[Jim Sloan]

On my 1960 I am in the process of removing the incorrect oil line that runs from the top back of the block (by the distributor base) through the firewall to the back of the oil pressure gauge. In the 1958-60 NCRS Judging Manual it mentions that the line should be steel, not copper, and that there is a loop in the line in front of the firewall before going into the block. I am not sure what this is supposed to look like, or where exactly this loop should be. Could someone send me a photo of a correct installation. Is the steel line correct? What is the purpose of the loop in the line?
Any help would be appreciated!

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 1960 Oil Line Routing

Jim - I'll try a couple of the issues. The line is steel, but may have a somewhat copper-looking appearance. The current reproductions lines being sold that I am aware of are of a larger outer diameter. The purpose of the 1 1/2" loop is probably for vibration/engine movement protection. Also, the original hex fitting size at the engine is 5/16", unlike the 3/8" repoduction. Alas, I have no picture to supply... Best, Dennis

[John M.]

Re: C1 1960 Oil Line Routing

Jim,
Dennis is correct that the loop is for vibration, and there are some illustrations of it in Nolan's book and I believe in the AIM as well.
Dennis is also correct that no one is selling a correct sized line or fitting.
There is not much you can do about the line, but the fitting can be reworked to appear "as original". If you take a Dremel tool or similar small die grinder and a small sanding disc, you can sand the flats on the fitting to the 5/16" flats that the original had as opposed to the 3/8" flats that they now come with. The judges allways focus on the fitting and you will take a deduct for it, but my experience is that you will get no deduct for the line if the fitting is the correct size.
I will however, disagree with both Dennis and the JG, when they say that the line should have a copper finish on it. The original line was a TBW or Tinned Bundy Weld line and should appear as a dull silver grey finish. The only way on original line would appear otherwise would be if rust was forming on the line.
If you look under the dash on any original or Bowtie C1, you will see that the line is as I describe it. I am not sure how the copper plated line got into the JG, but it is incorrect. Perhaps the line on C2 cars are, in fact, Copper plated and the description just migrated down to C1 cars as well. While I can't speak to C2 cars since I know almost nothing about them, I can tell you that I have never seen an ORIGINAL copper plated C1 oil line.

Regards, John McGraw

[Dennis C.]

John... I believe you are right...

... about the (non) copper color of the oil line. I think I gleaned that from my tiny experience with 63/65 - and then it caught my attention because some thought those lines were of copper construction because they tended to "look" that way. I felt the General would never do that and suggested owners try the old magnet test to confirm one or the other. Maybe, for whatever reason, the early C2's oil pressure line, with age, took on a copper hue. Again, I feel you are correct in stating that C1's did not display this copper color. In closing, its too bad a correct reproduction seems to be such a challenge for what seems like a fairly easy part to make. Best, Dennis

[Mike M.]

Re: John... I believe you are right...

i THINK the 49 to 54 chevy pass cars can donate the correct oil press line and fittings for the c-1's. all my c-1's with original oil press lines aren't "copper-coated" in appearance but the early c-2's sure are. mike